National Republican., 1887-12-24
VIRGINIA STATE GRANGE.
PROTEST AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF A
FARMER FROM OFFICE.
Large and Harmonious Session at Nor
foih-Demands Made Upon Congress
aud state Legislature - Resolutions
Adopted Urging Immigration.

The Virginia farmers held a meeting
In Norfolk on the 18th, 14th, and 10Th In
slant that is likely 10 bring the grange Or
ganiraiion IN that state Into prominence
and po,orlety. The meeting was the Elk
tsenth annual session OF the State Grange
OF Virginia, Patrons Of Husbandry, and fol-
lowing quickly upon the recent enthusiastic
meeting Of the National Grange In Lansing,
Mleh., partooR a good deal OF It's enthu
siasm. For the first time In six or seven
Year, every section OF the state, Including
The Eastern Shore and south hwestern por-
uonf, was represented by delegates or
representative Never since the organ,-
nation of this body has such good feeling
prevailed, aud lis entire business during
three DAYS aud two night sessions was
trsnsaet'd a with the greatest uoanimity OF
purpose and feeling. There was, OF course,
difference Of opinion, aud number OF
earnest and spifittd debates were engaged
IN, but "bliterness Of controversy" was
lscklpg, and general sentiment indicated
that the members had come together to
legislAie for the interest OF agriculture
aud the order, rather than to
tdyanee personal or selfish ends or views,
and Il was generally understood that the
the eianRe were therefore agreed TO with
spirit o. uuiv,fsal good feeling which 70.
ntcied credit upon the intelligence and
patfiotism q the body.
In q few cases where II was evident that
clear majority favored a question, toe
mover sgreed 70 'round of the sharp cor
nfrs" where they offended or seemed TO
bear too heavily upon the minority. Such
ection insured good will, strengthened the
bonds of fraterslty, and united the farmers
more closely In their movement for the
elevation OF their class.
The body contained persons OF all politi-
cal eouplexions-the old line Whig and
Bourbon Democrat, the ReadJuster Repub.
lican and the simop.pure Republican, aud
tederate Afmy-ofilcers and priyates; here
were free traders, protectionists, and tariff
for revenue men; q few who favored the re-
moval OF the entire Internal revenue system,
while nearly all favored the abolition OF the
tobacco tax aud protection for all agricul-
tural industries Such body, It might
have been supposed, would have begun 10
wrangle and ended in q row; but the
spirit OF fraternity taught In the grange,
and the ennobling and controlling influence
Of the presence OF women, 80 acted upon
the minds Of the members as TO enable them
70 debate the various questions presented
IN such a dignlned and kindly spirit as to
prove that the one purpose OF the body was
the advancement and elevation OF the class
which they represented.
The announcement that the legislature
bad removed an efficient officer and prac.
teal farmer from the Office OF commissioner
Of agriculture and replaced him by gen.
tltman not Identified with the agricultural
interest OF the state and known only as
prominent lawyer and active political
worker caused great Indignation, aud the
body was unanimous In their protest. A
telegram was prepared protesting In strong
and the master and secretary directed to
send the same 10 the lieutenant governor
and speaker OF the house OF delegates.
From this beginning scommlttee on state
and national legislation was appointed, 10
whom was referred all matters relating TO
legislation, with instructions to present
them to the legislature and Congress.
In regard to state legislation, the legisla-
ture was requested to adopt laws TO regu-
late the charges Of transportation companies
within the commonwealth; to enact and en-
force laws for the protection OF the tobacco
planters OF the state; aleo, TO right the
wrong perpetrated upon the farmers OF the
state In the removal OF farmer from the
head OF the agricultural department, and
=, filling hio place as a reward for political
service.
.. =,.Regarding national legislation, the grange
demands OF Congress:
The removal OF internal revenue taxation
'npon all legitimate agricultural indus
That II the tax on wool is reduced the
tax on woolen manufactures be proper
tionately reduced.
That adequate appropriations be made
for the agricultural department-that It's
usefulness be increased and nothing done
to impair Its power or detract from Its im-
portance.
That agriculture te given member In
the Presidents advisory board.
That money appropriated under the Hatch
bill be expended for actual experiment and
not for the advancement OF military,
scientific, or classical education.
That postal telegraphic system be estab-
lished.
That dealings In futures be made felony.
That postal banks be established 10 every
county.
That the adulteratlons Of foods, liquors,
and medicines be punishable by law.
That nothing be done to interfere with
the effectiveness and ability OF the inter-
state commerce and ole0margarine laws.
In addition to these demands resolutions
were adopted indorsipg Mr.. Hatch for the
craftsmanship Of the House committee on
agriculture, and requesting the Speaker to
reappoint him; also indorslng the work
undertaken by the Postal Reform Associa-
tion, especially as relates TO reduction Of
postage on seeds and plants.
The legislative committees were directed
to have printed and circulated the resolu-
tiops, with petitions to the legislature and
Congress, relating thereto; also an address
to the people Of the state on the situation
OF agriculture, and asking the cooperation
Of all kindred organizations In promoting
and advancing the welfare of the class.
A resolution was adopted urging immi-
grafton, and pledging hearty welcome TO
all who come to the state.
A special committee on this subject was
appointed, with G. II. Pierson ss chairman,
to Issue pamphlet Of farms and lands for
sale, to be distributed among the grangers
OF the northern, eastern, and western
Delegates were appointed to the farmers
assembly, which meets In Richmond In Jan
uary.
The next meeting will be held In Fred
ericksburg on the second Tuesday Of De-
cember, 1889, beginning at 8 p. m.
Tue following officers were elected TO
serve two years: Master, Y. X. CHARTERS,
Fredericksburg: overseer, X. A. Blackwell,
Bally Dale; lecturer, Joseph 3. Shelton,
Marmora; steward, @. III. Pierson, summit;
Thomas 8. SteddeD, VAUDEVILLE; treasurer,
assistant steward, Walter Jordan, Drivers;
chaplain, DR.. Mapp, Fair Oaks; secretary,
John Il. Alrich, Alrich's Crossing; gate
keeper, Isaac W. Allamay, Stevenson's.
The grange, at 2;30p. m. Thursday, closed
in due form, the labors of its session having
been completed.